Introduction: this route is suitable for children (from 5 years old) who are already used to the mountains, to paths and to walking, as long as you watch where they put their feet, holding their hand at the trickier points and where the path becomes narrower and more exposed. Only one stretch is more difficult: just be careful and never in a hurry to reach the goal.
Wide views over the green woods of the Sabina.
Also read the story of our ascent: An elephant for a little girl.
Route description
The outward route runs mainly on a well-marked path (red-and-white CAI waymarks), certainly not the easiest for children but hugely satisfying for parents and children alike.
From where you left the car, walk up the tarmac road to the first hairpin after the hut. You pick up the path (green barrier), which quickly takes you up to the ridge. The path runs mainly along the ridge. Take care in the first, rather exposed, stretch. It's always best to hold children by the hand; they tend to struggle even with big stones that an adult steps over with a simple stride. You pass the first little top, then the path, carrying on along the ridge, reaches the Sella di Pratorecchia. From the ridge you can see Monte Elefante.
You always have to urge children to keep going; tiredness catches them by surprise very quickly. It's also true that their powers of recovery are far greater than an adult's. Past the Sella di Pratorecchia you find yourself at the foot of Monte Elefante. The view from the ridge is beautiful. Children are not insensitive to the magnificence of the mountains.
From here you have to make one last mighty effort, tackling the slope head-on. Traces of path climb between grass and broken rocks practically to the summit. The last stretch can seem heavy going because the convex shape of the mountain doesn't let you see clearly where the top is.
From the summit the view is wonderful, but you have to keep an eye on the children, paying particular attention to the north-west side of the mountain, which is very steep and dangerous.
You can descend by the same route or by heading straight for the dirt road that leads to Micigliano. The white dirt road is clearly visible from the summit, you can't go wrong. Pay particular attention to the lower part of the route.
In spring this side of the mountain can be beautifully in flower, and it's a pleasure to let your children discover flowers they have never seen.
Variants and alternatives
For a quiet Sunday stroll it's certainly easier to choose the cart track towards Micigliano, avoiding the ridge route. At the foot of Monte Elefante, near a small erosion gully, you can climb to the summit by the direct route. This alternative is not at all panoramic and you lose most of the pleasure of a good ridge walk.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Frequently asked questions
From what age can you take a child up Monte Elefante?
The route is suitable for children from 5 years old who are already used to walking in the mountains. In the first stretch, which is exposed and has big stones, it's best to hold their hand; alternatively you can follow the cart track towards Micigliano, avoiding the ridge.
How long does the climb to Monte Elefante from Rifugio Sebastiani take?
The estimate is about 3 hours 30 minutes there and back, calculated on children's walking pace, for 2 km and 200 m of ascent. The path is well marked with the red-and-white CAI paint marks.
